Infectious Disease Alert
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Diagnosis and Management of Acute Infectious Diarrhea in 2016
The American College of Gastroenterology has developed a guideline dealing with the management of immunocompetent adults with acute infectious diarrhea, other than that due to Clostridium difficile infection.
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Diagnosis and Management of Invasive Aspergillosis in 2016
This updated guideline takes into account newer diagnostic methods and therapeutic agents and their use in the treatment of aspergillosis.
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Newly Recognized Rickettsial Infection in Eastern Central China
Fifty-six of 733 patients in China who were evaluated for suspected Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) were shown by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to be infected with Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae (CRT). Fever, myalgia, cough, gastrointestinal symptoms, and hemorrhagic manifestations were common. Rash was rarely seen, and eschar was observed in 16% of cases. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and abnormal LFTs were commonly observed. Co-infection with SFTS virus was seen 66% of patients, and eight patients died.
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Screening for Clostridium difficile Carriers at Hospital Admission Reduces Subsequent C. difficile Infections
Patients admitted to a single hospital were screened for C. difficile carriage and those found to be positive were placed in contact isolation. This led to a significant decrease in hospital-acquired C. difficile infections.
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Evaluation of Amoxicillin Allergy in Children
The majority of children in this study were nonallergic. Provocative challenges should be conducted in an appropriate medical setting.
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Skin Infections in Student Athletes
Among high school and college athletes, skin infections are most common in wrestlers and football players. Bacterial infections predominate. Up to 22% of wrestlers are colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sometime during the season.
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Effect of Antibiotic Resistance on Prevention of Surgical Site Infections
This interesting article from Teillant and colleagues (who is now doing some interesting work at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy in Washington, DC) highlights the threat of antibacterial resistance not only to our ability to fight active infection, but to prevent surgical site infection using perioperative antibacterials.
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Assay for Detection of Zika Virus in Urine
Most patients with Zika virus have asymptomatic or subclinical infection. The CDC now offers a TrioPlex rRT-PCR assay for the detection of ZV in urine in select patients.
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Colistin vs. Polymyxin B
Based on their kinetics and toxicity profiles, polymyxin B may be the preferred agent for treatment of systemic infections, while colistin is preferred for infections limited to the urinary tract.
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Severe Infection Due to Human Adenovirus B7
Oregon health authorities identified 198 patients from October 2013 until July 2014 with respiratory symptoms and a human adenovirus (HAdV)-positive respiratory specimen. Of the 136 patients (69%) who were hospitalized, 31% were admitted to ICU, 18% required mechanical ventilation, and five patients died. Patients with HAdV-B7 were more likely to be adults and to have longer hospital stays.